The 4 Parts of Medicare

Medicare is the United States' health insurance program for people age 65 or older. (Certain people younger than age 65, particularly those who have disabilities, can also qualify for Medicare, but they must meet other specific criteria.)

You will be eligible for Medicare when you turn 65 even if you are not eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. However, this program does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care. Medicare looks vastly different than it did just a few years ago. It now consists of four main parts, which are detailed below.

Part B is optional and there is a monthly premium and an annual deductible. However, it is highly recommended that you take this benefit (if you are not otherwise covered for doctor's services) because late enrollment carries a substantial penalty.

Your Part B monthly premium depends on the cost of living and when you enrolled. It is deducted from your Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement check. If you don't get any of the above payments, Medicare sends you a bill for your Part B premium every three months.

If you didn't sign up for Medicare Part B when you first became eligible, you may be able to sign up during the General Enrollment Period (please note that you may be subject to a financial penalty). This period runs the first 45 days of every year. During this time, you can sign up for Medicare Part B at your local Social Security office. Visit Social Security online to find the office closest to you.

Part C

Medicare Advantage is often called "Medicare Part C," because people with Medicare Parts A and B can choose to receive all of their health care services through a private insurance company under Part C. You must purchase these benefits through private companies approved by and under contract with Medicare.

Anyone enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to Original Medicare during the first 45 days of the new year.

Part D

Medicare Part D is optional prescription drug coverage that is available to all people who are eligible for Medicare. Plans are offered through insurance companies and other private companies. There is a monthly premium, a yearly deductible, and a co-payment.

Medicare Supplemental Insurance

Also known as Medigap policies, these supplemental plans are sold by private companies and may help pay certain fees, such as copayments and deductibles, as well as the portion of doctor bills that Original Medicare does not cover. Only one person may be covered under a Medigap policy, so spouses will need separate policies. Medigap plans also do not work in conjunction with Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans).

Eligibility Information

The official Medicare website has a useful a tool that helps you determine whether or not you or your loved one is eligible to receive Medicare benefits.

Find Care &and Housing

Alena, Medicaid is a state-administered program. Your state Medicaid office will have resources to tell what benefits are available and how to get them.

Kaiser Foundation Website. KFF provides resource material covering Medicaid from a national perspective with break downs of state-level data as well as prospective research on policy issues that will affect Medicaid. The KFF Fact Sheets can be particularly useful when you hit a snag with state-level policy to at least put the problem in context and maybe offer a solution.

is a federal website that seems mostly to be directed to state Medicaid personnel.

When dealing with any bureaucracy, my experience is that lower level employees do not always have access to the full scope of the system. That is, they know their part of the system but do not always know or understand what the other parts do. This is where "the runaround" comes from and why we seem to be sent from person to person with no answer or get conflicting answers. Moving up a level or two in the organizational chart may get more satisfactory results. I strongly recommend heavy doses of courtesy and politeness to smooth your way.

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